It’s Only a GamePublished by About Comics, 2004 Charles M. Schulz and Jim Sasseville, Edited by Derrick Bang After seven years of finding insight and humor in the existential crises of pre-adolescents, Charles Schulz decided to try his hand at something new, It’s Only a Game, a series of single panel gag cartoons focused on people’s recreation and pastimes. I’ve always been a fan of his Peanuts strip, and I shelled out more than I should have to buy a copy of his Li’l Folks strip from the Charles M. Schulz Museum, but It’s Only a Game has a special draw for Schultz fans. Of the three series it is the only one to feature adult characters in any capacity at all. Done over a fourteen month period, beginning in November of 1957, the strip focuses on adult leisure activities –and how stressful they can be. The one featured most often is bridge. Not being a card player myself, I have to admit that was a problem for me. A large number of the strips simply did not resonate with me at all. Several others were dated, with jokes about women drivers, etc, but the priority given bridge was easily the biggest stumbling block for me. After a couple of months Schulz delegated much of the work to friend and fellow Minnesotan Jim Sasseville, who worked from rough sketches provided to him. Sasseville had known Schulz from art school and had worked on the Dell comic version of Peanuts (though never the strip itself). He provides commentary and insight into the development of the strip. The strip was initially picked up by thirty newspapers. After more than a year the number was still at thirty and Schulz decided to call it a day and concentrate on his primary strip. He never attempted another strip. Overall I enjoyed it, but it’s definitely one for the fans.Published Originally at David Bird's Blog http://david-bird.blogspot.com/2012/12/its-only-game.html

47 Ronin #1Published by Dark Horse, 2012 Written by Mike Richardson, Art by Stan Sakai, Coloured by Lovern Kindzierski, Lettering by Tom Orzechowski and Lois Buhalis, Editorial Consultant Kazuo Koike The story of the 47 Ronins is now over three hundred years old. It was then, at the beginning of the 18th century, that the events that inspired this story took place. Now when it comes to spoilers, I have certain rules. They date back to 1999 and the release of the movie Titus. I was talking about it with a co-worker when a second co-worker spoke up and said, ‘I haven’t seen it yet. Don’t spoil it for me.’ We stopped talking immediately, but after a moment I thought, no, this story has been around for four hundred years. You’ve had plenty of time to familiarize yourself with it. We asked her to go somewhere else so we could continue talking about the movie. When it comes to comics, my rule of thumb is one month or the release of the next issue, whichever comes first. Of course, it’s usually the former. With this issue I am going to go light on the details. No spoilers. The story is three hundred years old, but I’m going to give you the next month. I first heard this story years ago, when I saw the 1962 movie Chushingura. The real events are actually somewhat muddled. Censorship laws at the time kept many of the details from ever being established. Essentially what happened was that a rurally based lord, Asano, was called to the court of the ruling Shogun. Because his knowledge of etiquette was somewhat rustic, he was sent to a court official named Kira to be instructed. Gift giving is an important part of Japanese culture, even today, and Kira thought that the gifts Asano had given him were insufficient. Asano thought Kira was trying to extort bribes from him. A seemingly trivia conflict, but out of it grew a story of revenge and honour that would cause dozens of deaths and become one of Japan’s most popular stories. Richardson first heard of the story in 1986 and has been waiting to tell it ever since. For those who don’t know, he is Dark Horse’s major domo, its founder, publisher, and president. He’s been working on his script since 2004 and certainly the first issue is excellent. He introduces the main characters and the conflict. He has a large cast and a story that hinges on obscure points of etiquette, but he keeps everything sharp and focused. (From my knowledge of the story I even feel sure who the narrator is.) His best decision was to hire Stan Sakai to draw it. It was Sakai’s involvement that gained my interest. If you’re not familiar with his Usagi Yojimbo, well, there’s no excuse for that at all. It’s funny, Usagi has an animal cast, but when you’re reading you forget that as you’re drawn into the stories. This was the first time I’ve read a Sakai story with a human cast, but in no time at all you forget that and get absorbed into his rich visual knowledge of the period. And in colour! It’s a beautiful comic and a fascinating story, and one well worth your attention.Published Originally at David Bird's Blog http://david-bird.blogspot.com/2012/12/47-ronin-1.html

I've certainly been neglecting this site. Its been months. Sad part is, I have been posting reviews in forums. I just haven't bothered to copy them over. Not many, but more often. So, that's what I'm going to do. Starting with my next post...Published Originally at David Bird's Blog http://david-bird.blogspot.com/2012/12/new-reviews.html

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What if Britain would get its space program out of the ground right after World War II backed by a very wealthy and black budget?Ministry of Space tells that tale. And the tale is about the blood of the test pilots, the impact it had on current day society, the way it was funded and what destiny is reserved for the man who made it all possible when his big secret comes out.This book also brings a couple of cool extras, like a sketchbook by Chris Weston and the always colorful commentary by Warren Ellis.How is it?At the end of WWII England manages to "convince" some of the most prominent German rocket scientists to join them. In the process acquiring the plans to the V2 rockets. In order to keep this quit some American troops, that had the misfortune to be in the right place at the wrong time, had to be obliterated.Air Commodore John Dashwood, the mind behind the idea, convinces England Prime Minister Winston Churchill to start the Ministry of Space. The Ministry will be responsible for the space exploration and it will be funded by a black budget.From that point on the book jumps forward and backwards in time between the story present time (2001) and several points in the past, detailing the key points in the Ministry history. Points like the exploration of the Moon, the colonization of Mars or the death of some of the most important persons of the Ministry.Ministry of Space is not a story about success. Its a story about achieving your goals and paying the price. As the story progresses, more and more dirt about the Ministry's actions and what Sir John did along the way to get his black budget Warren Ellis created a story that draws you in and keeps punching you in the stomach when you're not expecting. However the biggest punch comes at the very end and is a true "When you see it" moment.Art wise this is a gorgeous book. Chris Weston and Laura Martin created a world that is simply beautiful to look at. One of the drivers of the story is that doing it like Sir John wants to do it will make space exploration and related technological evolution will come much earlier than what we witness in real life. The way they gave all the ships a retro fell made the story all the more believable.
And so it begins
Sorry Buzz, not this time
Veredict?This is one of my favorite books by Warren Ellis. Its and intelligent and subtle story that saves a few sucker punches for the very end. To me this is a must have. However, if you don't enjoy Warren Ellis's work, you probably want to skip it.The book itself is a cool package with nice extras and an awesome story. Yes its not very long. But what it lacks in length it makes up in enjoyment you'll take from it.Publisher: Image ComicsYear: 2006Pages: 96Authors: Warren Ellis, Chris Weston, Laura MartinISBN: 1582404232
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2012/12/review-ministry-of-space.html

Fair Poster
Today I attended my first toy fair. It was a small but welcoming fair that took place in Roma Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal.My visit was quicker than I would like, but time was of the essence for this is a busy weekend. However I loved my time there. Most vendors were very nice and I got to check out many old toys.Most vendors sold miniature and vintage cars. Which is cool, but not really my thing. Still I enjoyed browsing through them. There were enough figurines to keep me happy. Sadly very few old Star Wars figurines that I was hoping to find.Still a cool way to spent my morning.The spoils of war:
Peanut and Snoopy
Jolly Jumper and Lucky Luke
colonial viper
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2012/12/off-topic-new-old-toys.html

Aspen Xmas
Aspen Comics To Offer A Second Special Fathom Holiday 2012 Print by Mike DeBalfo and Peter SteigerwaldOn the heels of selling out both the color and sketch versions of their Aspen Holiday 2012 mini-print quicker than expected, Aspen is pleased to offer one more free Aspen Holiday mini print for purchases as well as a full-size print available for sale this December to satisfy demand. With a brand new piece of art by Soulfire’s Mike DeBalfo and colored by Peter Steigerwald, this rare Aspen Holiday image features Fathom’s popular leading lady, Aspen Matthews decked out for the season.Starting December 1st, all orders over $50 on the AspenStore.com will receive this free Aspen Holiday 2012 mini-print with a limited print run of 150 editions, and all orders over $150 will receive a special sketch-version edition with a limited quantity of 50 editions. Aspen strongly encourages customers to make their purchases early to ensure they receive their prints with order while supplies last.Debuting December 10th, the full-size edition of the Aspen Holiday 2012 print will be available for sale on the Aspenstore and will be limited to 150 editions. For more information on the Aspen Holiday 2012 print please check www.aspenstore.com or www.aspencomics.com.
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2012/11/pr-aspen-holiday-prints-on-sale.html

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Adam Cadman is a convicted murderer that is sentenced to death by hanging. The sentence is carried out and as soon as he blacks out he wakes up on a different world. A world where the mazes are everything, since religion to ethos or even architecture. He wakes up on Mazeworld.There he will be faced with a civil war of sorts that won't let him go idly by. Many adventures await the hanged man.This book collects all three Mazeworld stories originally published in the British magazine 2000AD.How good is it?A man on the brink of death blacks out and wakes up in a fantastic new world where he is the incarnation of an old hero of the people? I know what you're thinking. Its all just a dream. Well, maybe or maybe Alan Grant and Arthur Ranson were a bit more inventive and gave the reader a bigger payoff.When Adam Cadman wakes up in Mazeworld he finds himself hooded permanently with his hangman hood. Because of that he is identified as the returned Hooded Man of the prophecies. Cadman is then dragged into a civil war like situation between the people and the established government. He soon finds his place and thus starts a three part story of adventure, acceptance and eventually redemption.Alan Grant creates a cool new world with an original ethos and populated with interesting characters besides the protagonist and antagonist. Arthur Ranson was responsible for the art on Mazeworld. The art has its own identity and style. Its well defined and very detailed. Its only sin is being a bit stiff and rigid at times.This is a good book that sadly passed under the radar for many readers when it originally came out. Luckily a group of verbal fans manifested enough interest for Mazeworld to be reprinted.
Kali Ma
Lazy slaves MOVE!
Would I recommend it?Mazeworld is very much worth your reading time. Competent, but just a bit short of great, art, compelling and interesting story line and good dialogues. While it isn't going to make many top 10 books list Mazeworld makes for a good and entertaining read.I recommend it, especially if you're looking for adventure books that aren't superhero books.Publisher: 2000ADYear: 2011Pages: 192Authors: Alan Grant, Arthur RansonISBN: 1907992480
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2012/11/review-mazeworld.html

CoverSOULFIRE (vol 4) #3
J.T. Krul – Story / Mike DeBalfo – Art / Nei RuffinoMichael Turner’s epic fantasy adventure surges forward into a new era!Infected by the poisonous sickness plaguing her body, Grace’s dragon manifestation of fire and chaos devastates the city of Rome, while Malikai and friends come to grips with the harsh reality that something unthinkable must be done in order to stop her. Meanwhile, Sarin’s rule begins to strain under the weight of his own agenda—as his decisions lead to deadly results for those closest to him!From veteran SOULFIRE scribe J.T. Krul, and featuring the amazing art of Michael DeBalfo along with fan favorite colorist Nei Ruffino, this is the SOULFIRE tale three volumes in the making! New and returning fans will NOT want to miss out as the biggest SOULFIRE story ever told continues right here!SOULFIRE (vol 4) #3 is in stores December 12th, 2012!
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Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2012/11/future-collection-soulfire-vol-4-3.html

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What is the most important days in your life?
Dayrtipper follows the most important days of Bras de Oliva Domingos and by the end of each nothing will ever be same in his life.Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon give the reader their vision of the life of a regular person and how it can be interesting and captivating.How good is it?Its very difficult to talk about Daytripper without giving away too much information. I'm not talking about spoilers but little details that are so sweet and wonderful that any reader should experience them without any preconceptions or previous knowledge of any kind.To be blunt, this is one of the best books I've read in my 20 or so years of reading comics.Daytripper is a book about the life of Bras de Oliva Domingos. A ordinary life filled with love and loss, dreams and realities. Bras is a regular guy. A writer that starts out by writing obituaries to the local newspaper and grows to be a novelist, just like his father.Bras has the same problems you and me have / had. Father issues, first kisses, first real love, the love of our lives, acceptance of certain life facts and friends. This is what Daytripper is about. Of course I'm being over simplistic about this, after all I don't want to give too much away.The story is told in an non-linear way. Every chapter details an important episode in Bras's life. Usually end with great metaphysical significance, which means that to signify some inevitable change in Bras's life Ba and Moon recur to allegories with great visual impact.The brothers Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba make a great creative team. Not only did they create a beautiful and heartfelt story but also illustrated it in a masterfully way. The art is sheer elegance in it's simplicity. Sorry about the cliche but it truly is the best phrase to describe the art in Daytripper. Everything is very well define, clear, clean and beautifully colored.Most of the book is talking heads. As you may imagine its hard to make talking heads interesting for a whole book. However the art style adopted in Daytripper manages to avoid any loss of interest by the reader.
Bras and his second best friend
A father is always a touchy subjectWould I recommend it?Daytripper is a must have to any comic book reader. This book is as near perfect as it gets. Whenever someone asks me for recommendations for comic books this is one of the first I remember. Its perfect to introduce new readers to comic books.Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon take a mundane subject like the life of a regular person and make it into a masterpiece about the human condition.Publisher: VertigoYear: 2011Pages: 256 Authors: Fabio Moon, Gabriel BaISBN: 1401229697
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2012/11/review-daytripper.html

Pablo PatruccoI have a friend that upholds a rather controversial theory: “No one is able to love, all the persons have the same biological needs of reproduction and that’s it”. I still remember our discussions. We began to stray, then, into a question of whether or not love was a simple biological need or something more wondrous and uncanny. To him, love was a lie, the merest trifle by comparison with biology or the will of the body, as he so aptly put it. This point did sit festering in the back of my mind, though. While I was not prepared, on initial hearing, to acknowledge there might be any iota of truth in my friend’s assertion, I found myself coming back to the point over and over, much in the same way you might find your tongue constantly probing a loose tooth, no matter how painful. Was it possible? Was it possible that love was just a lunatic creation that writers have perpetuated throughout the ages, from the dawn of time? I recall those words, that sometimes the things that may or may not be truth, are the things that a man needs to believe in the most. And therein lies the ultimate test.
Pablo PatruccoI would like to think that to fall in love with someone means that you are not only admiring a body, but a soul, a mind and a heart. Everything combined, for a person is a whole, not only skin or hair. Sure, some people have their way with a gorgeous body and that’s it. But I do not accept that a relationship could be possible with a person that only has a good body, a good surface. And as for love at first sight, I guess it could be possible provided that you fall in love for more than one reason. I found a very enlightening phrase in Constantino Carvallo’s book: “For a long time now I don’t believe in reasons. Why we do the things we do?, how do we choose the things we choose? One can search in successive phases the reasons of one’s acts and find, many years later, new explanations that will answer the never ending question of why, why did you take that decision, why did you do that? Why did I study philosophy? What am I doing in this place? What forces me to do what I do? Why do I commit myself with something that is not interesting for others? Why am I like this?, who silences me when I want to speak and, sometimes, who speaks when I am hearing my voice? These are interrogations not worthy of a place in the great gold book of philosophy; but to me are a mystery, the mystery of life itself and the search of that interior place where decisions are taken. Who rules in men? Reason? Emotions? The key question is Why. Men are influenced by sometimes incomprehensible factors. These incomprehension is full of reasons, and many believe in those reasons with conviction, and they proclaim them so much that they end up believing in them. But seduction barely gives you motives, never reasons. Causes of movement. Like some dark eyes, a certain grace in the way of walking, or a warmness in the voice can be the motive of love. We don’t know”.When we really like someone, we have thousand of details in our mind, small things, but essential things. At first we might admire the other person’s body, but then we learn to love and cherish all these details. No one in the world could persuade you in admiring qualities that are not there. Makes one think, doesn’t it?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ayer se realizó el evento anual más importante de Dédalo, la XVII Exponatale. Quedé fascinado por la enorme creatividad de todos los artistas y diseñadores que han elaborado un sinfín de objetos preciosos justo a tiempo para la temporada navideña. Apenas llegué me encontré con Rossella Di Paolo, importantísima poeta peruana que fue mi profesora en la PUCP. Nos quedamos conversando un rato, la última vez que la vi fue en Lucía de la Puente, y antes de eso en el salón de clases de la facultad de literatura, en el ya lejano 2008.Después me encontré con Louise Böttcher, la mamá de Joshua, uno de mis mejores amigos del colegio. Nos quedamos hablando un buen rato, recordando las épocas en las que todavía Joshua y yo estábamos en el colegio. No veía a Louise desde el 2011, porque Joshua estuvo todo un año en Cerro de Pasco haciendo su SERUM (Servicio Rural y Urbano Marginal de Salud). En un par de semanas es cumpleaños de Joshua así que ahí nos veremos nuevamente.
mi dibujoDurante la noche saludé a muchos de los visitantes asiduos de Dédalo, pero fue especialmente gratificante encontrarme con Arturo José Valdés Hamann, uno de mis grandes amigos que, según me cuenta, acaba de tener una hija. Qué duro debe ser asumir la paternidad a los 25 años, pero Arturo José se veía feliz a pesar de los retos que lo esperan. Luego de tomarme un vodka tonic, un vodka con jugo de naranja y un maracuyá sour (que estaba tan delicioso como los que hago yo), saludé a Alonso Cueto, a Pepe Tudela (gerente de programación de Plus TV a quien conocí en el canal), a Fernando Carvallo, a Sebastián Lores, a Eduardo Lores, a María Elena Fernández. Y quedé encantado con el Cuarteto Morella, un grupo de chicos de 17 años del colegio Pestalozzi que se encargaron de hacer de la música el punto central de esta Exponatale. Al final felicité a Pablo Alayza y a Kuno Vollprecht por tanta buena música.Originally Published at http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2012/11/dedalo-exponatale-2012.html

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A forbidden love births a forbidden child. In a galaxy where war is the norm and neibor species cannot coexist with each other Alana and Marko find a way to overcome the hate and discover love.Magic versus Science, Royalty with tv for heads and lies detecting cats. All this and more crayziness from Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples.This migh just be the start to a glorious new series.How good is it?This book is a delight to read. Simple as that.I was a bit fearful for all the hype Saga is getting, but luckily my fears were unfounded. Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples present the reader with a masterpiece of the 9th art. In Saga Volume 1 you'll find sequential storytelling at its best.BKV creates a Universe at war. Two enemy races have been going at it for a long time. Why? Thus far your guess is as good as mine. The war isn't the center issue in Saga. Marko and Alana's forbidden love and their lovechild are. Saga follows our three main characters with they struggle to get away from the war and find a peaceful place to raise their child.In this first volume we're introduced to our protagonists, the antagonists, a planet wide sex district, bounty hunters, the war, ghosts and the grandparents. This might seem too much for a single volume but nothing is done in a contrived way. On the contrary, everything comes to be in a organic and dynamic way.Fiona Staples pencils are hard to describe. It takes a few pages to get used to. At first it seems sloppy and fuzzy. But as you turn the pages it grows on you and its hard not to fall in love with it. By the end of the first chapter you'll come to the conclusion that Fiona's art its not sloppy but subtle, its also not fuzzy but an entanglement of pastel backgrounds with vibrant character designs.While disturbing at times, the character designs are really original and a pleasure to look at. Fiona made a great job in creating a vast array of races of all shapes, colors and sizes, that fit the feel BKV gives to the story like a glove.This book is highly on sex and sexuality. There are several explicit sex scenes and dialogue as well as some nudes here and there. Its never cheesy or sexist about it, but it is there. This makes Saga Volume 1 not suited to younger audiences or reading on the train.
Its a girl
Sassy plants
Would I recommend it?Saga Volume 1 is a great book. Original, interesting and very promising. BKV and Fiona might have created the beginning of a long and wonderful journey through the cosmos, exploring new and exciting worlds and cultures while simply trying to lead a peaceful and joyous live.This one is a must read for any sci-fi / fantasy buff or just about anyone who enjoys a good and exciting story, not about war but about life.Publisher: Image ComicsYear: 2012Pages: 160Authors: Brian K Vaughan, Fiona StaplesISBN: 1607066017
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2012/11/review-saga-volume-1.html

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How much of a monster do you have to become to hunt monsters?Scars follows Detective John Cain and his partner when they are faced with the investigation of a horrible murder of a eleven years old girl.This book dwells in the police thriller genre and aims at making the reader uncomfortable. Warren Ellis dwells in this genre using child abuse as the emotional driver for the protagonist.How good is it?Usually I'm not a great fan of police thrillers, even more so in comic book format. I picked this up on a whim and was not disappointed. The story has great pace, the art is clean and enjoyable and the overhaul package is nice.Warren Ellis does a good job in letting the read know who's who and whats whats in the first chapter. From there on its a fast pace story, with some twist and turns that makes sure to leave the reader uncomfortable page after page. Why? Because Ellis wanted so. To be honest, the unsettling felling one gets from reading Scars adds to the whole thriller idea. This is not a story to make the reader feel good. Its ugly and show a very bad side of our society.There are however two major problems with the book. One the mystery is given away for free half way in the book and the story shifts from finding the bad guy to getting the bad guy. Usually this isn't a problem, but something got lost in the shift because the first half of the book is much stronger than the second. Two the ending is a bit abrupt and somewhat predictable. It isn't bad or out of place, but the story deserved something stronger.In between chapter Warren Ellis and Steven Grant write some of their thoughts about Scars and the process that they had to go throw to get the book done. Its a cool read and it add a bit more to the book. Its like seeing a movie with the director commentaries on.Art wise the book is ok. Just like the story, its not perfect, its not the best B&W art out there, but is enjoyable and deserving of the readers time and money.
Gory corpses
And thus it startsWould I recommend it?Unfortunately Scars doesn't reach Ellis's usual greatness. Its not a bad book, it has its moments, but there's something missing. It does a good job making the reader uncomfortable with John Cain's journey into his own personal hell. But the mystery is given away too early in the story and all that is left afterwards is John's emotional turmoil.Its a good story, good art, just shy of greatness, but still very enjoyable. If you're a fan of the authors or the genre you should read it.Publisher: Avatar PressYear: 2004Pages: 160Authors: Warren Ellis, Jacen BurrowsISBN: 1592910513
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2012/11/review-scars.html